House approves Madsen bill to prevent abrupt utility shutoffs
Rep. David Madsen April 15, 2026 | 4:24 PM
HARRISBURG, April 15 – State Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin, is applauding the Pennsylvania House’s passage of H.B. 2333, a pivotal bill to restore and update the Commonwealth’s utility consumer protections. The bill would reinstate the lapsed Chapter 14 framework and require utilities to offer customer assistance and reasonable payment arrangements.
“This vote was about keeping families connected to essential services while protecting responsible ratepayers,” Madsen said. “For too long, gaps in the law have left households facing abrupt shutoffs, unclear billing practices and limited options to repay.”
Madsen said H.B. 2333 would restore clarity and fairness in Pennsylvania’s utility statutes by reinstating Chapter 14 protections governing security deposits, service termination, billing safeguards and customer notifications, and by mandating that utilities provide structured payment plans and assistance so customers who fall behind can remain connected while repaying unpaid balances. The bill also would limit certain charges and collection practices, tighten advance-notice, medical-certificate and reconnection rules, and restore reporting and oversight duties to the Public Utility Commission to monitor arrears and payment plan performance.
Utilities and regulators have struggled under the current statutory gap, which has at times resulted in inconsistent protections and sudden service terminations. This legislation would close that gap by setting clear, enforceable standards for billing, notice, deposits and reconnection, while ensuring customers have reasonable paths to address unpaid balances.
“This legislation is more than a technical fix—it’s a commitment to public health, fairness and keeping Pennsylvanians connected to essential services,” Madsen added.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.